USA Africa Dialogue Series - Oxford University’s other diversity crisis [The Economist Special Edition on Universities]

Also: American universities are pursuing fairness the wrong way

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April 1st 2023

The Economist this weekend A special edition on universities

What does the ideal university look like? In Britain, it has long been thought to resemble Oxford. The dreaming spires have bewitched students and academics for nearly a thousand years, though few were privileged enough to study among them. Nowadays Oxford is trying hard to attract students from all backgrounds. But staff told me that it does not apply that principle to hiring professors: it's practically impossible for poorer academics to work there. The university has a long way to go before its hiring practices are as admirable as its architecture.  Across the pond, universities and colleges are also struggling to improve access. Diversity statements have become de rigueur; studies claim that as many as one in five faculty jobs across America now require them. Some institutions have dropped the requirement for students to submit standardised exam scores, which campaigners claim favour the privileged. Meanwhile, other institutions are lurching to the right: Conservatives have seized control of New College in Florida, which was long associated with left-wing ideas. In America ideology is crowding out learning—and students are likely to be the ones who suffer as a result. Whichever path you think universities should take, these articles will encourage you to think anew. Happy reading.

Emma Irving Newsletter editor

Editor's picks A selection of must-read articles

Education Oxford University's other diversity crisis Good luck trying to become a professor if you don't have family money

Making the grade State-school admissions are rising at Oxford and Cambridge That means fewer privately educated students are getting in

Testing fail American universities are pursuing fairness the wrong way Drop legacy admissions—not standardised exams

Education Inside the college in Ron DeSantis's crosshairs Conservatives have seized control of New College of Florida. Students are debating whether they should defy or work with them

New testaments American universities are hiring based on devotion to diversity Mandatory statements are quickly taking hold of academia

Learning skills, not values Many of China's top politicians were educated in the West It did not endear them to it

Economist Asks podcast Is a university degree still worth it? We speak to Euan Blair, the founder and chief executive of edtech start-up Multiverse

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